1895 Four clasp India Medal. Singh. 3rd Sikh Infantry, latterly known as the ‘Piffers’

Correctly named in running script to 1834 Sepoy Itar Singh 3rd Sikh Infantry

With the clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 and Waziristan 1901-2.

The 3rd Sikhs were raised in Ferozepore in 1846. They were presented with regimental colours in August 1848 so must have been a well organized unit by then. They were using flint muskets up until 1852 during which year they were issued with percussion muskets. The 3rd fought in the Second Afghan War and many other frontier battles. One of their more memorable exploits was in the storming of the heights at Dargai during the Pathan Revolt of 1897-8. This was the same battle that brought the Gordon Highlanders into the limelight when Piper Findlater won the VC for continuing to fight having been shot in both ankles. The 3rd Sikhs were right behind the Gordons and shared the victory when the tribesmen were routed.

Designated 3rd Regiment of Sikh Local Infantry, becoming the 3rd Regiment of Sikh Infantry in 1857. In 1851, it became part of the Punjab Irregular Force, which later became famous as the Punjab Frontier Force or The Piffers. The Piffers consisted of five regiments of cavalry, eleven regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery besides the Corps of Guides. Their mission was to maintain order on the Punjab Frontier; a task they performed with great aplomb. On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, the Hindustani Company was disbanded. In 1858 the 3rd Sikh Infantry took part in mopping up operations in North India. During the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, the regiment took part in the defence of Sherpur Cantonment and the Battle of Kandahar, while in 1897, it served in the Tirah Campaign.

In WW1, as the 53rd Sikhs, they served in India, Aden, Egypt and Mesopotamia. In 1922 they became the 3rd battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment and were made a Royal battalion in the Silver Jubilee honours of 1935. In WW2 they were in India, Italian East Africa, Egypt, Iraq, Cyprus, Sicily, Italy and Greece.

A total of 7 clasps were awarded for this medal.